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Sowrey seems to have fallen out with someone , has looked a decent player and expected him to be back up to Cooper this season but he finds himself 4th choice. Kyle Cooper will be a miss tomorrow as he was outstanding last week.

When you have a squad with depth, it is possible to practise a bit of team rotation. It's a long old season and resources need to be handled accordingly. I have always chosen to believe that our D of R, whoever he is at any time, knows more about the game than I do. I am ready to be proved wrong!

On Friday, despite Worcester apparently playing so badly (which I'm sick of hearing) , it was the first time in an awful long time that I saw us be efficient in try scoring / point scoring opportunities.

That's what the top sides do. We need to repeat that tomorrow. Continue the solid foundations, but make sure when we get a chance score a try...we take it.

GeordieFalconThe key thing for me is the efficiency in taking chances.
On Friday, despite Worcester apparently playing so badly (which I'm sick of hearing) , it was the first time in an awful long time that I saw us be efficient in try scoring / point scoring opportunities.

That's what the top sides do. We need to repeat that tomorrow. Continue the solid foundations, but make sure when we get a chance score a try...we take it.

Yup . Both coaches and the commentary team seemed to be in agreement that the better team lost. Get in. Yet another tight game against Sale. That's at least seven in a row where a team's got a LBP ( or a draw). Now - can we shock Sarries in Philly?

Not the best of games to watch and made even worse by BT Sport's awful punditry - very patronising and unfunny. Their forwards were on top, but not due to Falcon's lack of talent. The boys just didn't seem mentally up for the game. Either way, a win away at Sale is a decent result.

Regarding the ref's performance, I agree he was poor but thought he was bad for both sides.

We defended very well. Joel kicked intelligently given the conditions and Sales' excuse for a line-out. Our first win at Sale since I had a full head of hair. But we need to be a lot better to push on. Thankfully, we still have some star players to help to achieve this.

Remember, there is no such thing as a bad game if you win. Or a good one if you lose.

Well, I won't be watching the full match replay of that one but hey ho, a HUGE result for the boys!

Showed some steely character there to keep in the game (albeit aided by Sales linout malfunction)and belief to go for the line out late on and get the pen try.

Good teams win ugly!!

Thought the refs inexperience showed throughout the game (only his 6th prem game I believe)so he will improve I'm sure.

I think we will all agree it was a turgid game in poor conditions but how unproffessional was Austin Healey in the second half......very immature in a lot of his comments and constantly making patronising comments. He needs to take a close look at his own performance tonight!!!

We've had our share of bad breaks in recent seasons. Tonight it could have gone either way but we hung in there and. edged it. Another injection of confidence and 9 points out of a possible 10 makes a happy change. This season is going to be fun.

How on earth did we manage to win that. Well done lads. Not impressed with the ref. He wasn't biased so much as incompetent in that the experienced refs seem to eyes in the back of their heads and see everything.

Poor performance in attack from both sides, defensively both solid sides.

Every 50/50 went to the home side and I thought the ref was terrible anyway if you're poor and you still grind out a win away, you will find yourself at the right end of the table come the end of the season.

1-2 years ago we would have blown that game and lost by 9+ points,through stupid errors and giving away kickable penalties. It shows how far they've come as a group. The leadership and will to win is there to see. I honestly didn't fear Sale scoring a try tonight as I thought the lads can dig in and claw it back if needed.

Yes Sale were unlucky with the drop over the line, but other than that they offered little and never threatened. I thought our defence was solid and strong. We for once played the referee. Now many on here wil say it's not in the spirit of the game. How many times have teams come to Kingston Park and done it to us? For too long we have been "honest and nice", yes we were miles offside but you play to the whistle, penalties were kept to a minimum in kicking range and given away where the opposition can't hurt you very savvy to do that.

I will take a win any way it comes so well done Falcons on to the USA.

I believe it's the best time to play Saracens get it over with early in a season on a neutral ground with our so called stars back fit you just never know. It's a one off cup final style game with both teams traveling so we could spring a big shock.

Really wish I'd recorded the game
Just got back and my feeling was that we made far fewer mistakes than Sale
How many lineouts did they botch? And the lost scrum that preceded our try
Did Deano really say the better team lost?

Awful game for spectators, but if you get pleasure out of good defence then both sides put in awesome performances, especially when you take the slippery conditions into account. Sale were never going to let us through, and vice versa, and from that viewpoint both teams actually did very well.

Our supporters were as bonkers as usual tonight, lots of noise to cheer the lads on. The locals as friendly as always, and the stadium is excellent, very similar to how KP is likely to end up eventually. Even with the awful traffic on the way there, it has been a cracking away trip.

I know it is a bit silly, but we are top of the Premiership table tonight. Enjoy it while you can.

RobsReally wish I'd recorded the game
Just got back and my feeling was that we made far fewer mistakes than Sale
How many lineouts did they botch? And the lost scrum that preceded our try
Did Deano really say the better team lost?

RobsReally wish I'd recorded the game
Just got back and my feeling was that we made far fewer mistakes than Sale
How many lineouts did they botch? And the lost scrum that preceded our try
Did Deano really say the better team lost?

You can watch it online at www.premiershiprugby.tv legally and legitimately.

Might not have been a great spectacle but the closeness of the game made it very watchable and for once it was us sneaking the win. Sale were the better said for most parts and butchered a few chances but our lads put it right and ground out the win. The better sides edge the scrappy affairs.

Joel put in a dare I say it typical Dave Walder performance in poor conditions, played them well.

Next week will be interesting indeed but you cant ask for more than 2 from 2, great start to the season. Nice getting texts from fans of other clubs I've met on travels praising us too.

Clearly it was a horrible, turgid, ugly game that we didn't really deserve to win, but despite only 3 phases in the opposition 22 after 70 minutes we kept to within a one try score and punished them at the end of the game.

As others have rightfully said, these are the types of games that we would of usually lost and not even gain a LBP over the past 2-3 seasons so you have to praise the players for their doggedness. Top sides win ugly.

Calum Green, my fellow county man, had to be MOTM. The line out steal specialist done a great job disrupting their line out. Takelua was his usual consistent self. Goneva looked like he has never been away and already looks at the peak of his powers, which just goes to show his quality. Special mention to the replacement front row, who done a magnificent job considering the inexperience of Socino and Davidson. Even with them playing the scrum was dominant.

It sets us up nicely for the USA. After 2 wins and playing at a neutral ground makes it a no pressure game for us and allows us to enjoy the experience. With a few star players back we will be competitive.

Joel's kicks rolling onto touch deep inside the Sale 22 were absolutely classic Walder,plus he wasn't afraid to get stuck in defensively. With Walder, Floody and Takalua to work alongside no wonder he's improving.

Reckon we'll have to treat the Philly game as a one off which helps the club prosper whatever the result, but nobody will be treating us lightly anymore. Happy Days.

OsricYup . Both coaches and the commentary team seemed to be in agreement that the better team lost. Get in. Yet another tight game against Sale. That's at least seven in a row where a team's got a LBP ( or a draw). Now - can we shock Sarries in Philly?

I read Dean's comment as related to "Falcons lack of control and the number of errors made" rather than Sale were the better team. Sale also made a huge number of errors, particularly at the line out.

End of the day 2 from 2 will keep the team buzzing and confident. The performance will make sure there is no arrogance or complacency next week.

Exactly where we need to be .... no pressure game now which puts funds in the club's pocket. Lads can give it a good go and enjoy themselves.

I was very concerned about how we would arrive at the Philly game and how it might subsequently pressure us but with start we have had it is now as good an opportunity as the most optimistic could have hoped for.

Firstly, well done to our boys for getting a much needed away win in what sounded like atrocious conditions. They will have learned a lot more from this game than the Worcester game I imagine, just through sheer grit, doggedness and never say die spirit. These are the sort of games that build character.
Secondly, with the way Joel has handled himself, I think if Flood does come back against Sarries he should start from the bench. He has to earn his spot like everyone else.
I know it's only two games but it's nice to be looking down on everyone else. And to think we have a lot of players missing is a credit to these players, management and Mr Kurdi for assembling a good squad of players. C'mon Falcons!!!

Sadly, I watched the whole thing and in open play we really weren't very good. Before anyone gets protective, that is not a comment to knock anyone.

We were completely toothless in attack and our forwards made no ground at all. We regularly passed from 10 to a forward stood still in centre field and lost 5 yards at a time. Our set-piece was excellent whilst Sale's was poor and the only reason we won.

I thin someone mentioned it earlier but in those sorts of conditions, we have to have more carriers who are able to make ground in heavy traffic off slow ball.

Secondly, with the way Joel has handled himself, I think if Flood does come back against Sarries he should start from the bench. He has to earn his spot like everyone else.
I recon flood will start in the USA game, Hodgson has played fantastic but we need a experienced head and that's Flood.

Is FOnua injured? If not i'd consider him starting at 8. I really think we need some genuine heavy duty carrying in there...Fonua gives us that, and we have more than enough workhorses in there to graft.

Tait misses far to many tackles to be our starting full back, cooper was injured last night so not sure he will travel to US, like Harris at 13 but would have JPS as 12, as mentioned above flood will have to earn his place so take him for the bench

Benpj17Tait misses far to many tackles to be our starting full back, cooper was injured last night so not sure he will travel to US, like Harris at 13 but would have JPS as 12, as mentioned above flood will have to earn his place so take him for the bench

Tait misses to many tackles?

I saw him stop Sale scoring a try last night by flying out the line and dislodging the ball 5m out.

He made a try saving tackle last week as well when Ethan Waller made his break and looked to score. Alex Tait clobbered him.

I don't think there is nothing wrong with his defence imho, that Is s bit harsh on him as he always puts out.

Cooper was injured last week, not last night so he might feature for saaracens. We could use his explosiveness like.

Agree re Harris, he is a warrior in defence, he's so dominant in the tackle. Aye I would go with Socino this weekend he's been impressive off the bench, although matevasi has been good.

Another really good win, and was that was hard fought. Really impressed with the defence so far this season, look very hard to break down.

As, has been mentioned, good teams win when they don't play well, and that is exactly what happened.

Onwards and Upwards for the Falcons and look forward to the game against Saracens next week, should be a good spectacle if nothing else, but more confident getting a result against Sarries than I have been in a while.

I know this is all about opinions ....... but, really, what are you smoking cos you must be seeing things..... he's been our most consistent player last season, pre season against Ediburgh and both games so far this season...... he's a starter at full back or wing.

Benpj17Tait misses far to many tackles to be our starting full back, cooper was injured last night so not sure he will travel to US, like Harris at 13 but would have JPS as 12, as mentioned above flood will have to earn his place so take him for the bench

Tait misses to many tackles?

I saw him stop Sale scoring a try last night by flying out the line and dislodging the ball 5m out.

He made a try saving tackle last week as well when Ethan Waller made his break and looked to score. Alex Tait clobbered him.

I don't think there is nothing wrong with his defence imho, that Is s bit harsh on him as he always puts out.

Cooper was injured last week, not last night so he might feature for sale. We could use his explosiveness like.

Agree re Harris, he is a warrior in defence, he's so dominant in the tackle. Aye I would go with Socino this weekend he's been impressive off the bench, although matevasi has been good.

Cooper didn't play last night as he was injured, taits tackle success rate against wus was 57% and was 75% last night not the best for your last line of defence

Don't know if anyone noticed but the way the results are falling, with Sarries losing, if Wasps don't win by a big margin away to Worcester, we will be top by right for the week - Not by virtue of games unplayed!!

When I thought we would go to Philadelphia I always though it would be the league's best side against another making up numbers.

I wouldn't say our defence was particularly impressive last night. Sale went through us on a number of occasions last night and fluffed the chances without scoring. Most phases were slow due to the weather so defences weren't too stretched.

GF, I think Socino is a long way ahead of Matavesi. Despite his size, he is not as effective at breaking tackles/getting over the gainline and has had the best times in his career as more of a flair back with big runners around him.

I think it's a good thing that we can hammer a poor team whilst also winning away in a tight, scrappy affair and keeping the home team tryless. Although not the hardest two games we'll play this season we've only conceded one, highly dubious, try to Wuss. If Wuss are as dreadful against Wasps as they were against us they could be severely embarrassed at home.

It was a dire affair to watch and as Deano said we were second best and really shouldn't have won but we did despite a large number of our new and existing better players missing.watching Saracens pounding Baths line yesterday and somehow being kept out I wondered if Falcons defence would have coped with it but we will certainly find out next Saturday. I was and still am against losing one of the most attractive fixtures of the season but a small consolation is that we can watch it on TV and fingers crossed will put on a real show. Roll on Saturday.

Flood posted a photo of all injured players still in Newcastle at a brewery this afternoon. The fact that DTH and Mermoz are in the US (clearly close to match fitness) yet Flood isn't would indicate that his rehab has had a setback to the initial 1-2 week diagnosis a couple of weeks ago.

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